Ever wish you had a quick, easy way to keep your players’ attention between game sessions? Frustrated by no one (maybe even you!) remembering what they were doing last time, with whom, or why?
Here’s one quick way to fix this common problem every GM and playgroup faces, while keeping your story and characters brilliant and alive: use story glue.
Remember all those times you’ve been at one hit point or sprawled all over the dungeon floor, bleeding out, moments from oblivion?
And then, at the last moment, a friend (hopefully!) swoops in and jams a healing potion down your throat? Or casts a cure wounds spell – or the holy grail of healing spells, heal. Your eyes fly open, your consciousness powerfully aware of your near-death experience, of your very real mortality.
Or those times where there were no spells or potions left, or they weren’t strong enough. So your friends did what they could to buy time – bandages, setting bones and so on while you slept, hoping you would wake up, frantically carrying or dragging your body to help.
Now that the focus is being pulled away from time-devouring miniatures wargaming marathons (a.k.a. typical 4e combats), the smooth transitions in and out of D&D Next combats are pleasantly noticeable.
Or should I say, you don’t notice them. That whole awful standard of “set piece encounters” that 4e encouraged is being turned and destroyed in a flash of white light – and not an edition too soon!
This means more time for storytelling and roleplay. More time for more encounters – and more types of them. Smooth transitions throughout the game’s action and scenes. Isn’t that what your D&D game needs? Isn’t that what we all want?
Our D&D Next Playtest games continue and the December packet brought a breath of fresh air – high level play and (more importantly) MONKS!
I always loved the theme and style of the bard and monk throughout D&D’s editions, but in actual play, they failed spectacularly until 4e.
But as we all know, for all 4e’s strengths, the weakness of “supercrunching” the game with rules and too-long combat took away from a classic, balanced D&D RPG experience.
Well, I created this blog because I love D&D and RPGs because of that fine balance of crunch and flavor, story and game, strategy and roleplay. D&D Next is doing a commendable job of bringing that essential D&D feel back, and I love that quality more than any other.
Last night, I got my first chance to play as a PC since my first D&D Next experience at a cozy and comfortable gaming event, and I jumped at the chance to play the new-to-Next-playtest monk. I loved the 4e monk, and was left wanting to play more – what a delightful opportunity! So my brother kindly offered to DM a 14th level game for us, and we had an absolute blast.
Dungeon Bastarding for the HolidaysLooking for some D&D-flavored holiday laughs? Then once more, you need the Dungeon Bastard!
Found this 2011 holiday gem from Bill Cavalier, also known as The Adventure Coach. “William” strikes gold again – this time for the holidays!
And for something completely different: if you’re curious what Santa’s stat block might look like, check out this great Paizo/Pathfinder thread. Depending on which RPG you actually play, your level suggestion may vary!
Sorcerer or wizard? What do you think? Time Stop and Wish are locks for Santa, I agree!
Your Merry GM and Player,
There I was, playing Dragon Age, my freshly created Antivan rogue – a brawler and knife-thrower – waiting (im)patiently for his turn. We were 9th level now, and much as I tried to hope against hope, the decidedly smoother Dragon Age RPG finally started to approach levels of complexity that were drawing out turns.
Any of the following sound familiar in your games?
Yep, that’s exactly where our typically faster, smoother Dragon Age combats had gone, much to my lament.
This is where the fun begins to wane for me. What about you? I hate than anyone gets so bogged down or overwhelmed by options and steps that it wastes time. That it creates 5, 10 or even 15-minute player or GM turns.
I mean, obviously I hate that. I did write for FasterCombat.com after all, with this as a core issue we teach you how to tackle. Or more appropriately, slay!
Even the best games can fall victim to Complexity Syndrome. Don’t let your game get there!
Here’s a few quick and dirty ways to save your game before the increasing complexity of rules and actions overwhelms it: Read the rest of this entry »
In our last adventure, after pursuing an army of darkspawn and their diabolical mage masters, Nall and his friends saved his people from death – and an even more terrible fate (reproduction with darkspawn, anyone?).
But it was a costly victory. It all happened so quickly, yet in slow motion. And… I helped.
Hey everyone, happy gaming and happy football Sunday! A great day as my Patriots dropped 52 big ones and looked pretty good doing it!
But enough about football (you know I’m a huge RPG and NFL fan, of course!), here’s an update on what October and the rest of 2012 looks like for both me and Leonine Roar. Here’s what you can expect as the chill of autumn and winter settles in…
1)
Teach D&D to Brand New Players. Earlier this year I introduced a friend’s fiance to D&D – she’d never played anything like it and was curious. Next, I’ll be introducing my cousin to D&D – and instead of 4e, we’re going to playtest D&D Next together along with her boyfriend, a long-time Pathfinder player. This event goes down Saturday, we’re all very excited!
Read the rest of this entry »
It’s the middle of summer and everybody’s on vacation. Even you. Yes, you! And guess what, your characters are sneaking in a vacation too. That’s right, even they need to get away from risking their lives every second for gold, glory and immortality.
A lot can happen to heroes on holiday, though – at both the destination and back home. Here are some vacation hooks sure to bring adventure to an otherwise relaxing time away from swords, spells and dragons.
As a player, you can use these ideas to help describe your character’s downtime and background events and actions.
As a DM, use these ideas for whole new story twists and adventures – and even separate game sessions!
5 Holiday Hooks
1. Solo Adventure. Got a “solo” quest you’ve beem wanting to do since you created your character? Talk to your DM and make it happen. Lots of gamers on vacation, so a quick one-shot session to wrap up a personal loose end is a great way to spend a game night or two until the band’s back together. Or as DM, look through the party’s backstories and find a side quest that captures your imagination. Ask if the player’s up for a quick game.
Hey everyone! I know, you want more quality Leonine Roar content. So do I!
Work is the #1 answer. (Ohh – D&D Family Feud? I love that show! I might just work on that…) I have tons of great work right now, and love it, so that’s awesome!
Yet, I apologize for the quieter summer stream of LR fine wine mix of RPG crunch and flavor articles, even as I’m sure many of you are also naturally sitting back and enjoying the summer and your vacations as well.
Speaking of vacations, I’ll be taking a break from and reviewing a few projects – including LR – for most of August, coming back after Labor Day weekend.
But just before I head south for my Chultan paradise to rest my mind and body – and hunt dinosaurs and find a certain frigid ring – I’ll give you some of my ideas on vacations in D&D or any RPG. How do you fit them in? How do you make them fun and memorable – just like in real life? How do you add fun, exciting twists that turn them into true adventures?
So talk to you again soon, keep enjoying your summer, keep playing and thanks for reading Leonine Roar! (And help answer my questions in my P.S. below too please, here or @LeonineRoar on Twitter, thanks!)
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